File fastener



Dec. 14, 1943. R. E. GOOLEY I 1 FILE FASTENER Filed April 19; 1943 IN V EN TOR. ROBERT E. GOOLE).

ATTORMY-i Patented Dec. 14, 1943 UNHTED STATS PATENT OFFICE FILE FASTENER Robert E. Gooley, Gradell, N. J.

Application April 19, 1943, Serial No. 483,567

Claims.

This invention relates to fasteners adapted for use in binding files and particularly to a fastener having an improved keeper to lock and cover the prongs of the fastener.

File fasteners of the type to which the present invention relates include a base with prongs at the ends thereof which may be inserted through holes punched in the sheets to be bound. To hold the file securely various forms of keepers have been devised. These usually have openings through which the prongs pass and holding devices adapted to engage and look the ends of the prongs. The keepers are often relatively expensive. Sometimes considerable manipulative skill is required to operate them eifectively. Many of the proposed forms of keepers are ineffective and practically useless.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple, effective and inexpensive device which can be applied with the minimum of skill and effort to lock and cover the prongs of a fastener, affording a comparatively smooth surface on the face of the file and avoiding the possibility of loosening of the fastener in the file and the tearing of sheets by contact with free ends of the prongs.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a file illustrating the application of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a keeper embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the application of a keeper to the prongs;

Fig. 6 is a plan View showing a slightly modified form of the keeper;

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing another modified view of the keeper; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view indicating the method of applying the keeper.

The fastener comprises a base 5 and prongs 5 which project through holes i in the file 8 consisting of the sheets to be bound. The prongs 8 are bent toward each other above the file 8 to hold the sheets together. The fastener may be made of any suitable material. It is preferably formed of metal such as a low carbon steel which may be bent readily and has only slight elasticity. Other materials may, however, be used.

The keeper 9 may also be made of steel, but preferably it is formed from non-metallic material such as arelatively stiff, tough product known as fiber board. Celluloid and various plastics may be used instead. Any sheet material which is sufficiently resistant to abrasion and wear and is stiff and resilient is suitable for the purpose of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 2 to 5 and 8 of the drawing, the keeper 9 comprises a base portion extending longitudinally along one side, a central fiap iii,

adapted to overlie the portions of the prongs t which are bent upon the top of the file i3, and end lugs H and H extending at right angles to the base portion and adapted to slip under the prongs 8. Between the central flap l8 and the lugs H and H are slots l2 and I2 extending to enlarged openings l3 and 13' which embrace the prongs 6 when the keeper is in looking position. Preferably, though not essentially, the keeper 9 may have an embossed portion M affording a channel in which the ends of the prongs 6 can be disposed. Such a channel will assist in holding the keeper in place by engagement with the prongs.

To further ensure retention of the keeper, the lugs Il may have a shoulder 15 forming, with an extension It, a recess to receive the prong 6. The lug H may have its lip I! bent slightly upward from the plane of the keeper so that when the lug is inserted beneath the prong B it will spring upwardly, engage the edge of the prong, and thus hold the keeper until the lip is depressed to release the keeper.

The procedure in applying the keeper will be apparent upon reference to Fig. 8. The ends of the prongs 6 being bent above the top sheet of the file 8, one of the lugs H is inserted beneath the prong at the left so that the prong rests between the shoulder l5 and extension It. The end of the prong enters the slot 12 and the flap l0 overlies the ends of the prongs. The keeper is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow until the other prong enters the slot 2. The lug II will pass beneath the prong 6 and the lip I! will spring upwardly to hold the keeper in place.

As indicated in Fig. 6, the shoulder [5 (Fig. 2) may be omitted though it is a desirable adjunct of the device. The parts and operation are otherwise as hereinbefore described, the same reference numerals being applied thereto.

In Fig. '7, the device as illustrated in Fig. 2 is modified by the addition of a shoulder l8 cooperating with an extension I!) to aiford a recess for the prong 6. Otherwise the device is identical with the keeper as shown in Fig. 2 and the same reference numerals are used. However, in using this form of the device it is necessary to flex it slightly at the middle portion to engage and disengage the shoulder i8 from the lug. In this form, the bending of the lip Il may be avoided if desired, as the shoulders l5 and I8 will effectively prevent premature release of the keeper.

The various forms of keepers as described are inexpensive and particularly effective both as locking means for the prongs and in afiording a cover and protection against inadvertent contact with the prongs. The device may be used without skill and it can be applied and removed with slight effort and quickly.

Various changes may be made in the form and construction of the device Without departing from the invention or sacrificing the advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. A keeper for file fasteners having a central flap and end lugs separated from the flap by slots terminating in enlarged openings, one of the lugs having a shoulder and an extension forming a recess at the end of the keeper.

2. A keeper for file fasteners having a central flap and. end lugs separated from the flap by slots terminating in enlarged openings, the flap being embossed between the enlarged openings to afford a channel, one of the lugs having a shoulder and an extension forming a recess at the end of the keeper.

3. A keeper for file fasteners having a central flap and end lugs separated from the flap by slots terminating in enlarged openings, both lugs having shoulders and extensions forming recesses at the ends of the keeper.

4. In binding means for papers or the like of be type comprising a base member having prongs projecting substantially normally therefrom and adapted to extend through sheets of i... GU

paper and to be bent towards one another over the papers and a keeper for the bent-over prongs; the improvement which comprises a keeper including a base portion extending along one side thereof, a central flap, and a lug at each end, each end lug extending from the base portion at substantially right angles and being separated from the central flap by a slot extending inwardly from the side of the keeper opposite the base portion, the combined length of the central flap and the end lugs in a plane extending through the base and prongs being substantially equal to the distance. between the portion of the prongs normal to the base, the end lugs being adapted to underlie, respectively, the bent-over portions of the prongs adjacent their lines or bend, and the central flap being adapted to overlie the ends of the prongs.

5. In binding means for papers or the like of the type comprising a base member having prongs projecting substantially normally therefrom and adapted to extend through sheets of paper and to be bent towards one another over the papers and a keeper for the bent-over prongs; the improvement which comprises a keeper having a central flap and a lug at each end separated from the central flap by a slot extending inwardly from a side of the keeper and terminating in an enlarged opening, the combined length of the central flap and the end flaps in a plane extending through the base and prongs being substantially equal to the distance between the portion of the prongs normal to the base, the end lugs being adapted to underlie, respectively, the bentover portions of the prongs adjacent their lines of bend, and the central flap having an embossed portion adapted to overlie the ends of the prongs.

ROBERT E. GOOLEY. 

